BACKGROUND Treatment of platelet concentrates (PCs) with psoralens and broad-band ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation is being examined for the elimination of pathogens that might be present in donated blood. Previous studies have demonstrated the inactivation of cell-free viruses and the maintenance of platelet integrity with common in vitro assays. METHODS Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in three forms-cell-free, activity replicating, and latently infected cell lines-was added to PCs and treated with 50-microgram per mL of 4'-aminomethyl-4,5',8-trimethylpsoralen (AMT), 0.35 mM rutin, and broad- and narrow-band UVA light (320-400 nm and 360-370 nm [UVA1], respectively). The inactivation of added HIV was assessed in tissue culture; platelet hemostatic activity was assessed in thrombocytopenic rabbits. RESULTS Each form of HIV was inactivated completely (> or = 10(5) infectious units) on treatment with 30 J per cm2 of UVA1 light. Similar results were obtained on treatment of 2.5 mL of PCs in test tubes or intact PC units (50 mL) in blood bags. Latently infected cell lines were substantially more sensitive than cell-free HIV or HIV that was actively replicating. Human platelets treated with 40 J per cm2 of UVA1 light had a fully corrected bleeding time shortly after treatment or after 5 days' storage, as assessed in thrombocytopenic rabbits. Platelet hemostatic function began to decrease with 81 J per cm2 of UVA1 light and was abolished with 113 J per cm2. At similar fluences, broad-band UVA light was more injurious to platelets than was UVA1 light. CONCLUSIONS HIV transmission might be eliminated by PCs after treatment with AMT and UVA1 light and without a reduction in platelet hemostatic function.